License Cost
Licence only · upgrade to visas anytime
AED 6,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Upgrade to visas anytime
- Company name reservation
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
FREE ZONE · SHARJAH
Shams Free Zone Company Formation for Australians
Guide for Australian founders · around 14 hours from Sydney from Canberra
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 10 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Free ZoneLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 10 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 5,280Renewal cost
About Shams Free Zone
Why Shams Free Zone
Crucially, shams Free Zone combines media & creative focus with the flexibility to add activities and visas later, which is why it suits both first-time founders and established groups. A Shams Free Zone company can be owned entirely by foreign nationals, needs no local sponsor and can start trading internationally as soon as the licence is issued. The most common businesses Australians open through GoldenKey are in education, construction, hospitality and sports, although Shams Free Zone supports almost any activity. Just as important, australians are a community of more than 15,000 residents in education, construction, hospitality and sports, so the Shams Free Zone authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Australian applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Popular activities in Shams Free Zone include media, advertising, publishing, creative services and digital marketing, and most of them can be combined on a single licence. The authority permits Free Zone Establishment (FZE) and Free Zone Company (FZCO), which covers solo founders, partnerships and overseas groups opening a UAE branch. GoldenKey has prepared Shams Free Zone files for Australian customers in education, construction, hospitality and sports, which means we know which Australia supporting documents need attestation and which can be submitted as plain copies.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
The figures below for Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. As we tell every client, all prices for Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
License Plus Visa Quota
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 8,475
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 10,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 11,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
4 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 13,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 4 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
5 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 14,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 5 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
6 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 16,575
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 6 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
7 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 18,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 7 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
8 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 19,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 8 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
9 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 21,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 9 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
10 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 22,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 10 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 2,420
Annual renewalAED 5,280
Bank account assistanceAED 1,650
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-29.
Business activities
Explore 834 business activities in Shams Free Zone
Shams Free Zone lets you combine related activities on one licence. Search by what your business does — in English or Arabic — and quote the GK code when you ask for a quotation.
GK-SHAMS-001PrintingMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-002Printing of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, books and brochures, music and music manuscripts, maps, atlases, posters, advertising catalogues, prospectuses and other printed advertising, postage stamps, taxation stamps, documents of title, cheMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-003Printing directly onto textiles, plastic, glass, metal, wood and ceramics (except silkscreen printing on textiles and wearing apparel)
the material printed is typically copyrighted.MediaGK-SHAMS-004Printing on labels or tags (lithographic, gravure printing, flexographic printing, other)MediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-005Multi dimensional printing servicesMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-006Printing,Advertising Agencies And Event OrganizingMediaApproval requiredPopular choices · 834 activities availableAll 834 Shams Free Zone activities
Required documents
Documents required
Here is what you will need for Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Educational certificates attested by the Australia authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activitiesif applicable
- A police clearance certificate from Australia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires itif applicable
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the countryif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How Shams Free Zone works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
In the first call we check that Shams Free Zone lists your activity, settle the licence type and match the visa package and office to what you actually need.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the Shams Free Zone authority and obtains initial approval, usually within one to two working days. We keep a written record of this step so your file for Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians is audit-ready.
- 3
Document submission and payment
You sign the application and memorandum, we file the attested paperwork with Shams Free Zone and the licensing authority's licence fee is paid.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Once the Shams Free Zone licence and company supporting documents are released, we move immediately to the immigration file, residence visas and the bank meeting. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Shams Free Zone. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I need to visit the UAE to set up in Shams Free Zone?
Day to day, most Shams Free Zone licences can be released remotely with scanned documents and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your UAE residence visa is processed.
What is the difference between an FZE and an FZCO in Shams Free Zone?
An FZE has one shareholder and an FZCO has two or more. Both offer limited liability and 100% foreign ownership, and the fees in Shams Free Zone are typically the same.
How long does the Shams Free Zone licence take?
Crucially, once your documents are complete, the registrar as a rule issues the licence within 3 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Australia and the UAE?
Put simply, the UAE and Australia do not currently have a comprehensive double taxation agreement, so you should plan with a tax adviser in Australia. The UAE itself charges no personal income tax and 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000.
Can a Australian citizen own 100% of a company in Shams Free Zone?
Yes — Australians can own the full share capital of a Shams Free Zone company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
For most clients, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians for international founders. From day one, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Put simply, most of our Shams Free Zone clients come to us through referrals from other founders, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. On the ground, we speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Shams Free Zone company formation for Australians.
